Archery target



Oct. 12 1926.

E. MALLERY ARCHERY TARGET Filed Jan. 8, 192

5 1.13 fi/ALLf/Pv Arrow) Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES ELLIS MALLER-Y, 0] L65 ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

- ARCHERY TARGET.

Application filed January 8, 1925. Serial No. 1,185

This invention relates to archery and it has to do particularly with a novel form of archery target.

The archery target now in general use consists of a target member which is made from tightly twisted straw, this target member being supported The arrows penetrating the target member are gripped very tightly and considerable resistance to the removal thereof is offered by the target. There is also a tendency for the arrows to pivot out of their original position in which they strike the target.

It is an object of this invention to provide an archery target in which the arrows may be readily removed therefrom. I accomplish this by providing a target-structure comprised of a perforable or penetrable member, this member being arranged in front of an impenetrable, flexible member which adapted to arrest the motion in the arrow.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an archery target of this character inwhich an arrow will be retained in the position in which it strikes the target. I accomplish this by providing a target structurein the form of a plurality of penetrable members incombination with an impenetrable back-stop.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an archery target in which the arrows which miss the target will be stopped. I accomplish this object by providing a back-stop for the target structure which is of a considerably larger area than that of the target structure- It is another object of my invention to provide an archery target in which the target structure is spaced away from the backstop, thus permitting an arrowto entirely penetrate all of the target structure members.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel means for spacing the target members of the target structure apart. I accomplish this b providing pin members which are inserte through the target members. Y p y i Other objects and advantages of my invention will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawing in which I illus trate my invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an archery target embodying the features of my invention.

upon a suitable'easely Fig. 2 is a partial section taken on the line 2-'-2 of'Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4, 5. and 6 are views delineating various forms of spacing pins which I may employ in my invention.

With particular reference to Fig. 1, 11 represents a back-stop which is supported by suitable supporting posts 12, the backstop being secured thereto by tie-ropes'13. The backstop 11 may be made from any suitable impenetrable, flexible 1 material such'as canvas. The posts 12 have guy ropes or wires 14 connected to the upper end thereof for holding it in position, the posts 12 also having tie-ropes 15 tied to the lower end thereof to retain them in position.

A target structure 16 is supported in front of the back-stop 11, as clearlv shown in Figs. 1 and The target 16 is preferably circ1ilar in shape, having target rings 17 arranged on the face thereof. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the target structure 16 is comprised of circular penetrable target members 17, which are spaced with relation to each other by spacing pins 19. The target members 18 may be made from any suitable perforable material, double-faced corrugatedcard board being very desirable. The target 16 may be supported in front ofthe back-stop 11 by means of a cord 20 which is tied to the back-stop 11 and to an upper spacing pin 19. As shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that the ends 21 of the spacing pins 19 extend rear-- wardly from a rear target member 18, the

ends 21 engaging the back-stop 11 in a manner to space the target structure 16 away from the back-stop 11.

In' Fig. 2 arrows 23 are shown as being retained by the targetltl. It will be seen that the arrows 23 extend entirely through both of the target members 18 and that the arrows 23, because of the provision of a plurality of target members 18, are retained in the position in which they enter the target. Neither of the target members .18 offer considerable resistance to the movement of the arrows 23. The arrows 23, therefore, pass readily through the target members 18 and their movement. is arrested by the impenetrable back-stop 11, which they strike against upon passing through the target members 18.

In the drawings I illustrate a target'utiliznumber of target members. I have found, however, that when only one target member 18 is employed, the arrows are not satisfactorily retained in the position in which they strike the target, and when more than two target members 18 are employed the arrangement is rather cumbersome.

WVhen the target 16 has been marked by arrows sufiiciently to justify replacing, the front target member 18 may be placed in a rearward position and a new target member 18 may be placed in the forward position. In this manner I am able to utilize a marked target member for a greater period of use, which contributes to economy.

From Fig. 1 it will be seen that the area of the back-stop 11 is considerably greater than the area of the target 16. Any arrows which miss, the target 16 will be stopped by the back-stop 11.

An archery target of my invention is very simple in construction. It may be readily set up and is very economical in cost. The spacing pins 19 serve to space the target members 18 apart, serve to space the target structure 16 away from the back-stop 11 and also serve as a means for steadying the target. Cord 20 serves as a very simple and effective means for supporting the target 16 in front of the back-stop. 11.

Various types of spacing pins may be employed. In Fig. 3 I show a spacing pin which is tapered, this pin being extended through targetinembers 26and 27, as shown.

" The pin 25 is forced through the target members 26 and 27, the small end 28 thereof first piercing the target member. Owing to the fact that the pin 25 is tapered, the target members will be frictionally retained in their proper position. The rearward end 29 of the pin 25 extendsv tov the rear of the target member 26, engaging the back-stop 30 and serving to space the target structure away from the back-stop.

In Fig. 4 I show a spacing pin 31 having relative spacing shoulders 32 and 33. targetmember 34 is arranged on the; pin 31 so as to engage the shoulder 32, and a target member 35 is arranged on, the pin 31 so as. to engage the shoulder 33. The shoulders 32 and 33 serve as a convenient means for providing a definite space between the target members 34 and 35. A head 36 of the spac; ing member 31 extends rearwardly from the target member 34, engaging a backstop 37 and spacing the target structure a distance therefrom.

In Fig. 5 I illustrate a spacing member in the form of a pin, 40 having a head 41, which, provides a shoulder 42. The pin 40 is projected through a target member 43, said target member 43 engaging the shoulder 42; and a sleeve 44 is placed uponthe pin 40 in such a manner that an endv 45 of the sleeve 44 engages the target member 43, re-

taining it in place against the shoulder 42. A second target member 46 is then placed upon the pin 40 so as to engage an end 47 of the sleeve 44. A thimble 49 is extended upon a tapered end 50 of the pin 40, this thimble 49 having a conical cavity 51, into which the tapered portion 50 of the pin 40 extends. The thimble 49 may be of a flexible nature and so that it may be frictionally retained upon the end of the pin 40. The head 41 of the pin 40 extends rearwardly from the target member 43. and engages a back-stop 52, thus spacing the target structure a distance away therefrom.

In Fig. 6 I show another modification of a spacing pin which I may employ in my invention. This type of pin comprises a member which is provided with reducing pin portions 56, at each end thereof, there being opposing shoulders 57 formed adjacent to the pin portions 56, A target member 58 is placed upon the right hand pin portion 56 so as to engage the adjacent shoulder 57, and a target member 59 is placed upon the left hand pin portion 56 so as to engage the adjacent shoulder 57. Thimbles 60 and 61 are extended upon the right and left hand pin portions 56, respectively, these thimbles having cavities 62 into which the pin portions 56 extend. It is preferable to make the pin portions 56 tapered as shown, and to make the thimb-les 60 and 61 of flexible characteristics so that they will be frictionally retained upon the pin portions 56 The various spacing pins illustrated in this application are all very economical and facile to produce. They are all of such a character that the target members may be readily placed upon and removed therefrom. All of the modifications of pins may have grooves 68 formed therein, as shown, for tying the cord 20 thereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an archery target, the combination of: a back-stop; a target structure comprising a pair of separate target members and spacing elements for connecting said" members in spaced relationship; and means at tached to the back-stop and to the target structure for su tiporting said structure in front of the back-stop, said spacing elements extending rearwardly and engaging the back-stop.

2. In an archery target, the. combination of: a flexible back-stop; and a target structure supported to rest againstsaid back-v stop, said structure including a penetrable target member carrying means for maintain ingsaidtarget member spaced from the back-stop.

3. In an archery target, the combination of: a flexible back-stop; and a target structure dependingly supported upon and in front of said back-stop, said structure ineluding a pair of penetrable target members. and pin members for maintaining said target members in relative spaced relationship and the rear target member spaced from the back-stop.

4. In an archery target, the combination of: a pair of separate penetrable target members; and spacing pins for securing said members in spaced relationship, said pins being extended rearwardly to prevent engagement of the rear target member with an object against which the target may be placed.

5. In an archery target, the combination of: a back-stop; and a target structure dependingly hung from said back-stop to rest against the front surface thereof, said structure including a pair of separate removable target members and a plurality of spacing elements carried thereby, said elements serving to maintain t e target members in relative spaced relationship and being extended rearwardly beyond the rear target member to engage the backstop and maintain said rear target member spaced from the backstop.

6. In an archery target, the combination of: a back-stop; and a target structure disposed in front of said back-stop, said target comprising a pair of penetr-able target members and spacing pins for spacing said penetrable members, said spacing pins extending from said target structure and engaging said back-stop, thus holding said target structure a distance from said back-stop.

'7. In an archery target, the combination of: a pair of separate target members; and spacing pins for securing said target members in spaced relationship, said spacing pins being in the form of a tapered member which is extended through said target mem here.

8. In an archery target, the combination of: a pair of separate target members; and spacing pins for securing said target memhere in spaced relationship, said spacing pins each being in the form of a member having a pair of spaced shoulder, said pins being extended through said target members so that one of said target members engages one of said shoulders and the other of said target members engages the other of said shoulders.

9. In an archery target, the combination of: a pair of target members; and spacing pins for securing said target members in spaced relationship, each of said spacing pins comprising a pin having a head, a sleeve placed on said pin, there being one of said target members held between said head and one end of said sleeve, and a thimble placed on the point end of said pin, there being the other of said target members held between said thimble and one end of said sleeve.

10. In an archery target, the combination of: a pair of target members; and spacing pins for securing said target members in spaced relationship, each of said spacing pins comprising a pin having a head, a sleeve placed on said pin, there being one of said target members held between said head and one end of said sleeve, and a flexible thimble placed on the point end of said pin, there being the other of said target members held between said thimble and one end of said sleeve.

11. In an archery target, the combination of: a pair of target members; and spacing pins for securing said target members in spaced relationship, each of said spacing pins comprising 'a member having reduced pin portions formed at the ends thereof, said member having opposed shoulders, said pin portions being extended through said target members so that said target members engage said shoulders, and thimbles adapted for placement on the extending ends of said pin for retaining said target members in place.

In testimony whereof, I set my hand at Los Angeles, 2nd day of January, 1925.

ELLIS MALLERY.

have hereunto California, this 

